Holiday Shopping Secrets Revealed!

The holiday season is officially upon us, so to help you navigate the stores and websites, here are three favorite holiday shopping tips from How to Win at Shopping:

-Never begin the holiday shopping process without first creating a master list of everyone you intend to shop for, as well as the amount you’re willing to spend on them. (This can be made easier by adjusting and amending last year’s gift list.) Then always plan on a 10 percent overage. Having something to reference will safeguard you from overlooking or overspending. It’s okay to go over budget on a few gifts, but not without going under on some others. As for the added 10 percent, if you do not spend it on additional gifts, there will always be costs that you may not have planned for, such as shipping, gift wrapping, and so on.

-Always keep a list of what you’ve previously given your friends and family. This will ensure that you are not repeating gifts or beating to death what was once a great variation on a theme. Tracking prior presents is also a great way to coordinate future gifts.

-If you’re at a total loss shopping for someone you buy for year-to-year, starting a collection is always a great way to keep gifts special. Good gift giving is an art, and finding the perfect thing that completely captures someone is a magnificent accomplishment. Over many years, however, it can get harder to keep it fresh and exciting. If you are at that place, it may be the time to start a collection that reflects his or her personal style. Build it around a favorite gemstone, team, or culture and you will create a wonderful framework that you (and others) can add to every year.